NICOLE la Reservee is a full-time BEd student at Nelson Mandela University, and is also the founder of a burgeoning charity initiative which assists financially struggling matric girls to realise their dream matric farewell in ways their circumstances would otherwise prevent.
The initiative, seemingly springing from her participation in multiple pageants throughout the years, assists often impoverished girls with the formalities of readying for their big night; going so far as providing them dresses and accessories, as well as services by make up artists, hairstylists, nail technicians and photographers on the night.
“Growing up, I was involved in many pageants and competitions, which means I had dresses made for the different events, including my matric farewell dress, 21st dress and bridesmaid dresses. At the start of this year, I started going through all of my belongings and my sister’s, and I thought of donating them to girls who couldn’t afford it instead of hiring them out or selling them,” she said.
Over and above donating her own dresses and her sister’s to girls in need, La Reservee has also been humbled by the response from matriculated girls and women who have come on board and offered their dresses as donations.
“We have received many donations of dresses from girls who no longer use their matric farewell dresses and any formal dresses, shoes, bags and accessories. We don’t mind if the dresses need some fixing up, as we pay for them to be altered and corrected,” La Reservee said.
Build a Princess boasts an extensive team of professionals who have volunteered their services to help girls realise their fairytale matric dance, comprising photographers, videographers, make up artists, nail techs, hairstylists and people who offer their vehicles to “escort the princess from their home to the venue.”
“All work done or services offered are done voluntarily. The more hands we have on deck, the more grateful we are.
“Fin Angel Beauty Spa has been of great help in assisting us with helping the girls get their nails done in the style and design of their choice, as well as the provision of hair styling; all of which they do at no cost,” she enthused.
La Reservee believes that her charitable calling was first ignited while out on a school excursion to the House of Resurrection, where she was first thrust into charity work.
“I was in primary school when one of the teachers offered to take a group of us with her to the House of Resurrection, where we got to interact with other kids our age and spend time with them. It was then that I learned that we have two hands for a reason; one to help ourselves, and the other to help others.”
La Reservee occasionally spends her time outside of events at the House of Resurrection, spending time with children there or assisting in their operations. She also makes a concerted effort of getting involved with any outreach programmes that the home facilitates.
Alongside helping girls bring their dream matric farewells to fruition, the organisation’s main focus also leans to involvement in outreach projects like hosting fun days for children at children’s homes and setting up soup kitchens, as well as clothing collections for the less fortunate which are parceled and distributed to the homeless in time for Christmas.
La Reservee understands that being a woman is expensive at best, and that not every parent always has the means to finance the many expenses that encompass attending a matric farewell, and believes that this is where they, as an NGO come in.
“I remember my farewell being the highlight of my entire school career.
“Our focus has been trying to push the brand, mainly to create awareness; for girls in need to know that the option is available for them to attend their matric dance and at no cost,” she said.
The operations of Build a Princess have been carried out largely by La Reservee herself, with assistance from her family, boyfriend, and friends, who offer a helping hand.
At present, the funding for both Build a Princess and all other outreach programmes that they facilitate are funded from la Reservee’s pocket. La Reservee, who studies at NMU and is a full-time student, working two part-time jobs, which assist in funding Build a Princess’ operations, welcomes donations in any form that could likely assist them in either of their outreach programmes, particularly toward their soup kitchen, which will enable them to feed more of the unprivileged.
- To get involved or for more info about the initiative, contact La Reservee on 064 053 9979
